Oklahoma Car Accident Lawsuits: Who is Liable?
Each year approximately 25,000 people are injured in automobile accidents in Oklahoma. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 197 fatal accidents in Oklahoma City alone in 2010. For those injured in a car accident and for the surviving family members of those killed in roadway accidents, financial compensation may be available through a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit. An Oklahoma City car accident lawyer can file a civil suit against those responsible for the accident which caused the plaintiff's injury or loss.
Those suffering whiplash injury, catastrophic injury, or the wrongful death of a loved one will, unfortunately, face extreme financial hardship in addition to the emotional and physical trauma inflicted by the accident. Through accident litigation, plaintiffs may be able to recoup expenses and even obtain financial compensation for pain and suffering and loss of companionship. An Oklahoma City accident attorney with Phillips & Bailey will work aggressively to get his or her clients maximum compensation for property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, reduced income or earning potential, burial expenses, and more.
One reason it is critical to proceed with a civil suit represented by a car accident lawyer in Oklahoma City is to ensure that all avenues for compensation have been explored. Obviously, a reckless driver, drunk driver, or distracted driver may be a defendant in the lawsuit, but often, there are several other parties who may have contributed to the accident, and therefore, may be held liable for their role. It is particularly important to identify these negligent parties when the driver is uninsured or under-insured and is unable to provide the financial compensation needed by the plaintiff for the fullest recovery.
Non-driver parties who may be considered responsible for an automobile accident include:
- Automobile manufacturers responsible for defective vehicles or auto parts
- Vehicle owners who allow their automobiles to be driven by reckless drivers
- Cities, counties, and public entities responsible for poorly designed or inadequately maintained roadways
- Maintenance contractors who improperly maintain or repair vehicles
- Employers whose policies cause drivers to practice unsafe driving or whose employees cause an accident while on the job
- Parents who allow an unsafe teen driver to drive the family vehicle or who provide a vehicle for a reckless teen driver
By fully identifying any parties potentially responsible for causing or contributing to a motor vehicle accident, a plaintiff assures himself or herself that all possible sources of recovery are addressed. At Phillips and Bailey, our Oklahoma City auto accident attorneys evaluate each case using thorough investigative techniques and innovative resources to find all sources of accident liability. Our diligence helps our clients achieve a favorable settlement or judgment following a car accident in Oklahoma.